Impact Depends on Reach: Exploration of Rural Residents’ Misperceptions Regarding Justice-Involved Individuals with a Mental Illness

The present study examined what factors are most influential in shaping rural residents’ misperceptions about individuals with a mental illness. Results revealed that residents who reported ‘fear’ held misperceptions (likelihood of committing crimes and becoming violent) while residents who felt sympathy, sadness, uncertainty, and confusion did not report these misperceptions.